I was so excited for this one! I loved the color, and I was so thrilled ... and it failed again! It separated into a solid layer and then an oily emulsion on top. I made sure the lye was well dissolved into the beer - i cooled down the oils and the lye mixture, they hit trace - definitely! The only thing I did different with this batch was to add a bit of honey after I hit light trace. (This was Cold Process Oven Process soap, btw). My only idea is that apparently the beer in our house only wants to be ingested, not created into something better.

Bummer! Hmm, my only thought is that personally I don't like to oven process anything with superheaters in it (honey, milk) or anytime I use a liquid that isn't water. But not sure if that's based on anything valid scientifically, or if I'm just weird about it.

Maybe someone with more experience with beer soap will have some other ideas.

Thanks, MareMAre - I had no idea honey was a superheater. Go internet research, go. Anyways - I think my big issue was that I was not patient enough to wait two or three days to ensure the beer was totally flat. I had the same problem last time I used stout. Third time will be the charm but not till after xmas. I actually tried hot process, and I loves it! I used honey in that, and it turned out an awesome dark brick red. "Swirled" it with black, FO of chocolate ... it's a yummy one. If anyone can give me advice on beer in soap, I'd sure appreciate it!

that's the thing - I used my husband's home made beer both times, and both times it fails. That makes me think, logically, that his beer is faulty. He hasn't made beer from a mash yet, but when he does, I'll give it a try. Would you mind asking your friend their process, if they don't mind sharing?

I wouldnt blame the quality of the beer..and when i want to make beer soap i just pour my beer into a glass the night before and i shove it into the fridge..by next day its good-i KNOW that people boil it and stuff like that..ive just never had an issue with leaving it overnight opened in the fridge..no volcano..

What oils did you use and did you use fragrance oil??

My guess is you got false trace..beer is a fast mover & shaker and itll take control of your soap if you dont tame the wild beast! Soap at cool temps..full liquid-you could also do part beer part water as your liquid..and use oils that are slow movers to help with work time..good luck. .you can do this

i thought that i got false trace the first time ... so I was more careful this time. I think if I give the beer two days to flatten (And the Husband admitted after that his beer was over carbonated) and make sure that I'm soaping cold, I'll do a Hot Process and try a third time. I'm not sure what oils are slow movers - I use coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil and crisco. I'll wait until after christmas to try beer soap again, I think. Thanks for all the comments!

Bummer! Beer can be a jerk for sure, I've had some weird things happen too.. for the sake of argument, here's how I usually do it.. I boil the beer in a huge pot and let it sit on the counter overnight. If I'm super worried, I'll freeze it after that in an ice cube tray. I've done 100% beer, but I usually put my lye in the bottom of my soap pot, and then add the water and beer cubes and stir. The heat from the reaction melts the cubes but it doesn't get super hot that way. I usually do a mix of olive, coconut, grapeseed, and palm oils and I always use essential oils. It does get to trace way quicker, but I just have my molds ready (and the ice cubes really help).

Here's are a few links to beer soap I made recently, including recipes:

You sir, are my hero. (Yes, I know you're not a sir, but you deserve a military rank for the recipes). I think I'll give another kick at the cat and see if I can't make a thuper beer soap. I'll keep you updated.

P.S. last time I used a fragrance oil, not an essential oil. I'll order some EO this time and hopefully that will be the difference.